BC-Sports Showcase Digest

November 9, 2018

A look ahead to top enterprise and feature stories planned globally by AP Sports. New digests will go out each Thursday and Monday and will be repeated on other weekdays. Please note that story plans may change depending on news and other issues.

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As with all our operations, we welcome and want your feedback. If you have thoughts or questions about the Sports Showcase Digest or the material listed, please reach out to Oskar Garcia, deputy sports editor for presentation and storytelling, at 215-446-6632 or at ogarcia@ap.org.

All times are Eastern.

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FRIDAY, Nov. 9

HKN_RACE AND HOCKEY

WASHINGTON — Devante Smith-Pelly sat in the penalty box in Chicago as fans yelled, “Basketball! Basketball! Basketball!” at him, a sharply embarrassing display last season that grabbed unwanted headlines for a league eager to embrace diversity on and off the ice.. As a black hockey player, Smith-Pelly was angry about it but it wasn’t a surprise, not to him. Sixty years after Willie O’Ree broke the NHL color barrier and goes into the Hall of Fame, he and current minority players understand there’s still much to be done. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 850 words, file photos, video by 5 a.m. on Friday.

FBN--HALFWAY-OFFICIATING

Every year seems to be filled with controversy and consternation regarding NFL officiating. This season, the complaints, ranging from questions to outrage, have been as much a focal point as the standings. A breakdown of officiating calls for nine weeks of the 2018 schedule. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. 1,000 words, photos, by 4 p.m.

MONDAY, Nov. 12

OLY-THE TOUGHEST JOB

The organizations in charge of Olympic sports in the US face complicated demands from everyone from elite athletes down to grassroots volunteers. They have limited resources and staffs that often can’t handle many challenges. It’s no wonder, then, that turnover is rampant in some of the highest-profile jobs. By Eddie Pells. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos by 3 a.m. Monday.

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Again, if you have questions about the Sports Showcase Digest or the material listed, please reach out to Oskar Garcia at 215-446-6632 or ogarcia@ap.org.